Meet the People Who Can Help Your Business

from Business View – August 2021

Board of Advisors

Alabama Small Business Development Center at the University of South Alabama

Mel Washington, regional director University of South Alabama, Alpha Hall East 555 University Blvd. N, Rooms 307 & 308, Mobile 251.460.6004 | southalabama.edu/sbdc The Alabama Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University of South Alabama provides small business counseling, loan packaging assistance, international trade and procurement technical assistance for businesses including companies wanting to do business with the government.

Mel Washington is the regional director of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University of South Alabama (USA), where he provides one-on-one confidential counseling to entrepreneurs and small business owners in six counties in south Alabama. After receiving his eduation in Washington, D.C., and New York City and pursuing a career in the corporate sector, he moved back to Mobile in 2011. He knew he wanted to work with entrepreneurs and small businesses in the area, and in 2013, he started with the SBDC, which provides expert assistance, tools, training and education. “We offer these services at no charge to the small business owner and are one of 10 centers in the Alabama Small Business Development Center Network, all under the direction of our lead center at The University of Alabama,” Washington said. Washington’s greatest joys are helping individuals start and/or grow their businesses; knowing he is making a difference in their lives; and having a positive impact on the local economy. “Over the past eight years, I have worked closely with resource partners to strengthen and develop the local entrepreneur ecosystem into one of the best in the nation,” he said. When he talks with clients, he says his advice is usually that starting and growing a business is hard work that requires dedication, commitment, persistence, flexibility, capital and knowing what you don’t know.

Better Business Bureau of Central and South Alabama (BBB)

Monde Donaldson, vice president of BBB Educational Foundation 150 Government St., Ste. 1004, Mobile 251.300.3388 bbb.org/us/al/mobile The Better Business Bureau of Central and South Alabama (BBB) offers services to both businesses and consumers by creating a community of trustworthy businesses through accreditation, setting standards for marketplace trust, encouraging and supporting best practices, celebrating marketplace role models and denouncing substandard marketplace behavior. BBB also offers dispute resolution and referral services.

Monde Donaldson spent 30 years in higher education and building relationships, and that’s what she says the Better Business Bureau of Central and South Alabama (BBB) is all about – trust. A national nonprofit organization, the BBB was founded in 1912 after business leaders realized truth in advertising standards needed to be monitored. The Mobile office was established in 1954 with the mission to promote trust in the marketplace. Donaldson says her job is to educate businesses on how to incorporate these practices into the workplace and to protect the public when these ethical business practices are not followed. “Most people have heard about the BBB; my job is to let them know how we can advocate for them,” said Donaldson. She enjoys working at the BBB with small businesses to see them thrive in a supportive environment. “Small businesses have resources like the BBB, Chamber, local governments and professional associations that can help mold a business and support it in this changing and sometimes challenging work environment,” she said. Her one piece of advice that she gives all the time is that in today’s marketplace, consumer experience can make or break a business. “My advice is to be honest, transparent, proactive, humble and equitable with your customers and employees,” she said.

Rick Miller, center director 36 N. Section St., 2nd Floor, Fairhope 251.270.2670 | hatchfairhope.com Hatch Entrepreneurial Development Center is a business resource hub and incubator for startups and technology-based entrepreneurs in Baldwin County. It fosters entrepreneurial culture by developing a resource ecosystem.

Rick Millerhas been a consultant for small, growth-focused businesses for more than 20 years. Having also worked in the corporate world, he says he turned down a job to start a new incubator facility in another city to move to Fairhope in the early 1990s. “I enjoy change, love ideation and got certified in Gallup’s team engagement, so starting a tech incubator in Fairhope was a great fit,” said Miller.

“I love connecting entrepreneurs to other people and resources that can move their idea into a viable business,” he said.

The advice he gives most to business owners is to get their revenue stream going before seeking seed/growth capital. “Having paying customers lowers your risk and raises your valuation in the eyes of seed/angel investors,” he said.